Past Continuous Tense

Past Continuous Tense

S+was/were + V+ing

We use past continuous tense to talk about the past:

• for something which happened before and after another action: The children were doing their homwework when I got home.

• for something that happened before and after a specific time: It was eight o'clock, when I was writing a letter.

We also use past continuous:

• to show that something continued for some time: My head was aching.

• for something that happened again and again: They were always quarreling.

• with verbs which show change or growth: The children were growing up quickly.

Fill in the Blanks

My brother

(ride) his bike when he broke his leg.

Multiple Choice

What ______you ______(do) last night when the lights went out?

• was/did

• were/doing

• were/did

• are/do

Multiple Choice

I_______(wash) the dishes and my wife _________(give) the baby a bath.

• washing/giving

• washed/gave

• was washing/was giving

• have washing/ have giving

Multiple Choice

We use the past continuous to talk about the past for something which happened before and after another action.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

The phone _________(ring) while I ___________(eat) my dinner.

• was ringing/was eating

• rang/ate

• were ringing/were eating

• ringing/eating